Clean energy systems
Hydropower plays a vital role in reducing the world's dependence on fossil fuels.
“Hydropower is set to play an important role in the energy transition and will be critical to decarbonisation"
- Francesco La Camera, Director-General of
the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
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Overview
Hydropower is the world’s largest producer of renewable electricity.
The hydropower sector represents around 16 per cent of global electricity production, more than all other renewables combined.
As a technology, hydropower is an ideal complement to modern clean energy systems. No country has come close to achieving decarbonisation without a significant element of hydropower.
To deliver upon the ambition of the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5°C, all renewables will need to become more closely integrated.
Pumped storage hydropower - in effect a green 'water battery' - can accommodate for the intermittency and seasonality of variable renewables such as wind and solar power.
The hydropower sector represents around 16 per cent of global electricity production, more than all other renewables combined.
As a technology, hydropower is an ideal complement to modern clean energy systems. No country has come close to achieving decarbonisation without a significant element of hydropower.
To deliver upon the ambition of the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5°C, all renewables will need to become more closely integrated.
Pumped storage hydropower - in effect a green 'water battery' - can accommodate for the intermittency and seasonality of variable renewables such as wind and solar power.
Our action
Through our policy and research programmes, the International Hydropower Association (IHA) seeks to build knowledge about hydropower’s value to energy systems.
We promote dialogue and coordinated action to accelerate the penetration of all types of renewables. Our engagement with international organisations, governments and civil society has improved awareness of hydropower's flexibility and storage services.
During 2020, we launched an International Forum on Pumped Storage Hydropower to put forward policy and market policy priorities aimed at expanding clean energy storage.
We promote the value of regional interconnections. We are also participating in the Hydropower Extending Power System Flexibility (XFLEX HYDRO) project and support Hydropower Europe, a project to deliver a research and policy roadmap for the sector.
We promote dialogue and coordinated action to accelerate the penetration of all types of renewables. Our engagement with international organisations, governments and civil society has improved awareness of hydropower's flexibility and storage services.
During 2020, we launched an International Forum on Pumped Storage Hydropower to put forward policy and market policy priorities aimed at expanding clean energy storage.
We promote the value of regional interconnections. We are also participating in the Hydropower Extending Power System Flexibility (XFLEX HYDRO) project and support Hydropower Europe, a project to deliver a research and policy roadmap for the sector.
Contact us
Join the IHA community and contribute to our work
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